U.S. health agencies are calling not to consume raw oysters from Canada due to an outbreak of norovirus - which causes gastroenteritis (stomach and intestinal inflammation) and leads to diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pains - found in this product that was recently found to be sold in several places in California.
So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA, along with the FDA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Agency of Canadaand the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, state and local partnersThe Canadian oyster industry is already investigating the multi-state outbreak of norovirus disease linked to oysters in Canada.
FDA has confirmed that potentially contaminated raw oysters harvested in the southern and central portions of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada, were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
In addition, it is possible that other states received these raw oysters from Canada through wider distribution within the country.
The agency detailed that together with the states they conducted a follow-up investigation to determine where the raw oysters from Canada were distributed and ensure that they are removed from the food supply.
Oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, especially in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell and taste normal.
It should be noted that people of all ages can be infected and become ill with norovirus.
The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain, and may include fever, headache and body aches.
A person usually develops symptoms 12 - 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.
If you have norovirus disease, you may feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day, which could lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.
Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.
Meanwhile, children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or irritable.
In front of raw oysters from Canada What do consumers need to do?
People should not eat raw oysters from harvested within British Columbia, BC 14-8 and BC 14-15, whose harvest will begin on January 31, 2022, which will be printed on product labels.
If you think you might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated raw Canadian oysters you should talk to your health care providers.
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures such as washing hands, utensils and surfaces with soap and hot water before and after handling food.
For food preparation surfaces and food cutting utensils that may have come in contact with potentially contaminated oysters, it is very important that consumers thoroughly clean these areas and items.
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